The same source did not rule out that the decision could be announced “today or tomorrow”. However, he described the possibility of extending the deal as a “gesture (of goodwill) from Russia.”
The grain deal, which expires on May 18, will be extended by 60 days, with the decision likely to be announced first by the Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan, a source familiar with the negotiation process told TASS. “The agreement, I think, will be extended for 60 days, but Russia may agree for the last time. The decision to extend may be announced “traditionally” by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan after a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart (Vladimir Putin )”, said the source.
The same source did not rule out that the decision could be announced “today or tomorrow”. However, he characterized the possibility of extending the agreement as “gesture (of goodwill) from Russia” in the hope that its demands, enshrined in the Istanbul memorandum of July 22 last year, will be taken into account.
After talks in Istanbul between the delegations of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Varshinin told reporters that the Russian leg of the accords would cease to be honored if Moscow did not receive guarantees that its demands would be met. will be satisfied from May 18. They concern the export of agricultural products and fertilizers, the reconnection of the Russian Agricultural Bank with the SWIFT system and a number of other issues.
Agreements for the export of food and fertilizers to world markets were signed on July 22, 2022 in Istanbul. Originally intended to last 120 days, they were extended for another 120 days in November. Moscow announced on March 18 that the agreement was extended for another 60 days, saying this would be sufficient time to assess the effectiveness of the memorandum signed with the UN. Moscow has repeatedly stated that any further extension of the agreement depends on whether the provisions for Russia are implemented. “The lack of progress on this issue puts at jeopardize the future of the entire initiative” emphasized. On May 10-11, representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN met in Istanbul to discuss a possible extension of the grain agreement and the implementation of the agreement in the Russian arm of the grain and fertilizer supply. Security of the Black Sea grain corridor was also on the agenda.
Source :Skai
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